DAAD-EPOS Scholarships for Developing countries, MBA in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development 2023-24, University of Leipzig, Germany

Application Deadlines: October 1, 2022

The SEPT MBA in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development is a program dedicated to conveying theoretical knowledge, application-oriented findings and practice-relevant experience with regard to the management, promotion and development of SMEs.

SMALL AND MEDIUM- SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMES)

In almost every country in the world, the largest part of revenue and employment is generated by small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). Paradoxically, the attention of most business authors and university programs has been predominantly directed to the big corporations, their special issues and insights.

At SEPT, we are convinced that the future of our economies relies on SMEs. For this reason, we have developed a program dedicated to conveying theoretical knowledge, application-oriented findings and practice-relevant experience with regard to the management, promotion and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Special issues addressed are the identification of innovation possibilities inside SMEs, their growth potentials as well as new concepts for promoting them and generating positive multiplier effects on their business environments.

STUDY PROGRAM

The two-year study program focuses predominantly on economic issues containing different concepts, approaches and aspects, ranging from supporting small businesses coping with survival to promoting innovative, dynamic enterprises. One particular issue is the identification of growth potential and concepts re-evaluating economic and industrial policy. Nevertheless, political and socio-economic considerations, such as securing employment and income for the poor, are part of our program.

This approach facilitates qualified training for upcoming professionals and members of institutions who already hold a degree and have some practical experience in working in/with small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, the course enables participants to work as multipliers in decision-making positions, provide support to small and medium-sized businesses as well as to promote innovative entrepreneurs. The whole program is taught in English.

The program was conceived in an international atmosphere, as most of the students (more than 90%) come from outside Germany. SEPT awards credit points under the ECTS system (120 for the entire course). Additionally, SEPT will provide varied contacts to German and European institutions and experts of small enterprise promotion, and a special support for the networks and information exchange between SEPT graduates, alumni, institutions promoting small enterprises and socio-economic development, international chambers of commerce, research institutions, and other development projects.

Currently, we are expanding to other countries in order to meet the local demand for SME development, offering a high quality MBA on this subject. This way, more people are benefiting from our courses.

APPLICATION

The SEPT MBA in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development is an international program where people from all nationalities are welcome.

ADMISSION

The ideal candidate for the SEPT MBA Program should be well qualified academically and have some business experience. The total number of full-time students accepted each year is 25. Of this number approximately 90% will be international, i.e. from outside of Germany.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A 4-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent from a reputable university
• Documentation of English proficiency*
• Minimum two years of relevant career experience after graduation from Bachelor degree
• Excellent computer skills, at least in the use of software for word processing (e.g. MS-Word), spreadsheets (e.g. MS-Excel) and statistical analysis programs (e.g. SPSS, STATA)
• Basic knowledge of economics and/or economic issues

Special requirements:

• Students from India with a 3 year Bachelor degree are eligible to apply if they fulfill the following requirement: Minimum grade: First division/class 60% and above or A = Very Good and above or a GPA from 3.00 onwards
• Chinese and Vietnamese applicants are required to submit an APS-Certificate

* ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIRED TO APPLY

TOEFL ibt minimum score of 78 or IELTS academic at least 6.0 overall band or English proficiency letter if medium of instruction in undergraduate program was English. TOEFL ITP, TOEFL TOEIC and IELTS General Training are not accepted.

Note: if applicant requests the TOEFL score report to be sent to SEPT directly by the Educational Testing Service, should indicate the code number 6976 when taking the test.

SCHOLARSHIPS

SEPT and DAAD have a keen interest in attracting a student body composed of talented individuals from all around the globe. Financial aid can be offered in the form of few DAAD scholarships for the best applicants. Please contact us for more information, taking into account that other dead-lines and conditions might apply when competing for scholarships. E.g. applications for DAAD-Scholarship must be submitted until October 1st for beginning tuition on October 1st of the following year.

Please Notice: Nigerian and Cameroonian Applicants must submit their applications directly to the German Embassy in the respective countries. All other countries can apply directly through the SEPT Program.

Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)

The EPOS programme offers individual scholarships to participants from developing countries so that they may study development-related postgraduate courses at selected universities in Germany.

Background

Highly qualified local specialists who are interconnected with international partners play an important role in the development of their countries. They are pivotal for a better future with less poverty, more education, and better health for all.

However, many universities in developing countries are underfunded and overcrowded, and also the availability of top-level university lecturers and practice-oriented training programmes is often limited. It is against this backdrop that the DAAD created “development-related postgraduate courses” (EPOS), which are closely linked to practical experience. The programme supports rigorously selected graduates from developing countries with scholarships to study for an internationally competitive degree in Germany. These postgraduate courses have been going through discerning selection processes and have to reapply to the multi-institutional selection committee on a regular basis.

Programme objectives

Professionals and managerial staff from developing countries and emerging economies (list of eligible countries [pdf-file]) gain further qualifications on postgraduate courses to become future decision-makers and partners for Germany. This is the case for degree courses in all areas of expertise important for development and for solving global problems. It is expected that the graduates will be involved in international networks, working on solutions to national, regional, and global challenges. In this way, they will initiate and support development processes in the medium and long term.

In addition, capacity development in terms of supporting personnel and organisational development in partner countries will have sustainable development effects. For the participants of the programme, the postgraduate courses offer the necessary skills and qualifications to continually increase their performance and development capacity in their working environment. Graduates will act as disseminators passing on their experience and their newly acquired skills to others.

At the same time, the postgraduate courses contribute to the further internationalisation of higher education institutions in Germany. In addition, participants from partner countries will promote the transfer of knowledge from South to North by sharing their specific regional know-how with students, teachers and researchers, thus strengthening their competences in respect of the developing countries.

Source / Additional information: Leipzig University Official Website – DAAD Official Website.